A Classroom Survival Guide For Teachers & Students

A nasty argument broke out during one of my first ever college classes between a squeaky, angry freshman and the teacher who would become the greatest professor I ever had. I don’t remember what started it, but Forsythe often rocked the boat, even while teaching basic English skills.

The student jumped out of his seat and began shouting, something about how Forsythe was trying to keep the black man down. The suggestion was ludicrous of a man who had played ball with and personally known Jackie Robinson in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization before spending time in Africa as a teacher for the Peace Corps. The squeaky one was put in his place and gradually disappeared from the background cast of my collegiate life.

I try to avoid scenes like this one.

That incident became the first in a series of classroom quarrels throughout this second half of my life spent on college campuses. (I could write a book on my mentor Dr. Madden). I would witness many more outbursts as a student before becoming a teacher. Now I’ve got a well-rounded perspective as the number of years I’ve spent in front of the room are equaling the time spent in those uncomfortable seats. I’ve gone against professors as a student and had students come against me as the professor. In between, I’ve seen plenty of students go at each other.

Some of this interaction is healthy and useful, some not so much. I often let the debate get heated when something productive is likely to occur. Any teacher of politics and government is going to see some fiery things in this contentious age in which we live. With so many dead and boring classrooms around, I’ll take liveliness as much as I can get it and often find ways to get students going.

Other teachers don’t always appreciate my “lively” classroom. They’re just jealous cause their students wish they were in our room. Sometimes these professors glare in my window. One lady walked down the hall to pull my door shut while shooting me the evil eyebrow. Others just find me in the hall to tell me what an “interesting discussion” they happened to overhear.

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I’ve seen arguments flirt with getting physical in just about every year I’ve taught. Not good. Regardless of what type of room you find yourself in, here are the basic rules of classroom etiquette that every student (and teacher) should follow to avoid disaster and optimize the learning experience.

Civility? Jolly good.

1) Watch your language.

Everytime I get a student obnoxious enough to unleash a steady flow of vulgar language I hear from many others that such behavior must stop. I watch cringing faces as the obscenities begin and for good reason. It’s a classroom not a comedy club. This rule isn’t just about cursing either. Vulgar language includes all types of sexually offensive talk and more that kills the environment. If you need to be controversial and want people to hate you just get a job in government.

2) Be respectful of others.

Hopefully you’ve been told this by someone in your life. I teach in an urban setting with people from all over the world and every walk of life. Diverse classrooms are the best but you need to speak respectfully. Don’t announce that the Japs got nuked or “fags need to stop whining.” Yes, the quotes are there because I’ve heard it. Yes, there was at least one gay student in the room.